Los Guatuzos: A Wildlife Refuge in Nicaragua is the place to go if you are restless in the city of Granada and realize you are missing the jungle. Plan a trek to the Nicaraguan jungle, you’ll be amazed. It will leave a lasting impression. One that becomes a highlight of the entire trip. Travel by bus for seven hours and by boat for four and there you’ll be in a remote, lush corner of Nicaragua. Los Guatuzos – what makes you so special?
Los Guatuzos: A Wildlife Refuge in Nicaragua
The Journey
It was a 7-hour chicken bus ride from Granada to San Carlos, then a 4-and-a-half-hour boat ride across Lake Nicaragua and up the Rio Papaturro to reach Los Guatuzos. Trying to buy a ticket and find out an exact departure time was tricky but we finally met some rugged-looking captains onshore and bought our tickets. An hour later, the captain gave Emily and I a quick nod as if to say, “Time to board.”
After about an hour, the boat backed into a sandy beach and everyone hurried off. Waiting was a lunch barbecue of grilled fish, plantain and rice. On our return trip, it was different. Emily got my full attention when she elbowed me and whispered, “Pirates, Mom!” Sure enough, a boat was pulling up alongside ours as our motor shut off. This was Nicaraguan food delivery at its finest. Everyone lined up for grilled fish wrapped in a banana leaf.
As the boat made its way up the very shallow Rio Papaturro, men used sticks to push us offshore as we rounded corners. Meanwhile, egrets and herons flew overhead and iguanas lazed in the trees.
Cabañas Caimán
Jungle sounds – monkeys swinging from limb to limb, exotic birds eating papaya, frogs, cicadas – and silence marked with the flashing of fireflies. A rustic cabin by the river. No wifi. Just what we ordered. Truly this place, Los Guatuzos, a wildlife refuge in Nicaragua is also a personal refuge to rejuvenate.
Armando and Aileen were the perfect hosts. Armando emanates a twinkle when it comes to wildlife. He got so excited showing us different birds and mammals This, along with his commanding knowledge of the jungle, made him the perfect guide. The fact that he only really speaks Spanish added spice to the whole adventure. Aileen’s warmth, great pride in Nicaragua and determination to have conversations in a mix of beginner Spanish and English were an integral part of the experience.
Did I say wildlife? On our doorstep?
The papayas were ripe on the tree and there was a constant lineup of birds waiting for this tasty treat. Colourful Aracaris and woodpeckers took their turn.
Monkeys. They just captivate me. Is it because they are just so human-like? I know…when was the last time I munched on a seed pod? It was just Em, me, the monkeys and the hush of the jungle.
Read More | Love the rainforest? Here’s another way to experience it in Nicaragua. Read about Base Camp Bartola.
The Tours At Los Guatuzos
The Night Tour
Armando jumped in his boat and we followed suit. Immediately, it became apparent that this man has an eagle eye. There was darkness and silence as we buzzed quietly down the river with Armando shining his light to show us nighttime wonders. We saw many birds sleeping on branches, caimans silently resting on shore, green basilisk lizards, turtles and iguanas. And the pièce de resistance was trekking after Armando in the dark to find the hooting mottled owls.
We arrived in Lake Nicaragua and silently floated under a blanket of sparkling stars. Silence. Just the water lapping against the hull of the boat. And silence.
It isn’t very often in our world that we discover silence, stop and soak it in.
The Day Hike
Three tourists and three guides. Four hours. Trekking down the road and following Armando into the bush. We found trees that are over 500 years old or whose bark smells like cinnamon, leaves that smell like cloves, achiote, a cacao plantation. We saw sloths, hummingbirds, howler and spider monkeys, and a tayra (weasel) and loads of gorgeous birds – from oropendolas and motmots to tanagers and aracaris.
As we traipsed in the jungle after Armando – he produced a jungle swing for us. A final delight on a hot, humid trek.
Exploring
Suspension Bridges
The Eco Lodge across the way appeared rather abandoned and run down. That didn’t stop Georg, Emily and I from exploring early one morning. We clambered gingerly up the ladders and found ourselves eye to eye with monkeys. Have you ever heard a monkey pee in the jungle?
Monkey Search
Lidia was our cook, creating simple and delicious meals. There is no school in January in Nicaragua, so we were thrilled to hang out with Lidia’s daughters. A little fishing and bike riding to find monkeys, all led by a five-year-old!
Learning about Nicaragua
Who knew?
- That the boat would be packed and that the vast majority of people would be hopping on a truck after landing at Los Guatuzos and heading to the Costa Rican border? Many Nicaraguans work in Costa Rica.
- On the return trip down the river, the boat would be equally full of people and goods such as plantains, making their way to San Carlos.
- That many Nicaraguans cross into Costa Rica and deliver their babies, thus giving their children dual citizenship and the opportunity to go to school in Costa Rica.
Cheers to you Los Guatuzos. You secured a lasting place in my heart. That jungle. Those trees with their majestic, ancient spirits soaring above us. The wildlife. Those personal connections. The laid-back lifestyle. It was a feast for the senses.
For me, Los Guatuzos, you were pure magic.
When You Go…
Transportation:
Bus: We took a public bus from the waterfront in Granada to San Carlos. Go to the bathroom before you leave. There were no bathroom breaks.
Departure: 11 am Arrival: 6 pm
Cost: 191 Nicaraguan Cordoba/ $9.60 Canadian
Alternately:
Boat: Take the boat from Granada across Lake Nicaragua. Water levels were really low this year so the boat was cancelled.
Plane: You can fly to San Carlos from Managua or Ometepe
San Carlos:
Accommodation: Hotel Gran Lago – included a restaurant breakfast voucher
Transportation from San Carlos:
Boat to Los Guatuzos: 105 Nicaraguan Cordoba/ $5.10 Canadian
There really isn’t a ticket booth. Just keep asking people along the shore where the boats are and you will eventually find someone to buy a ticket from
Length: 4.5 hours; one lunch stop
Alternately:
Armando can pick you up in San Carlos and take you in his boat up the river.
Taking the public boat was much cheaper and an experience in itself.
Los Guatuzos:
Cabañas Caimán:
Contact Cabañas Caimán through their Facebook Page.
Food:
We ate all our meals at Cabañas Caimán. There is a restaurant across the bridge but when we stopped by there was not much available.
Lidia and Aileen prepared the meals. They were delicious and simple and took into account food allergies as I don’t eat gluten.
Tours:
The night tour and day trip were led by Armando from Cabañas Caimán
Like this post? Pin it!
Leave a Reply